5 December 2025

By Ms Angelina Browning, Acting Head of English

The belief that studying English and literature helps students understand themselves and the world they inhabit is central to our team’s practice. Through novels, plays, poetry and media, we encourage students to ask questions and reflect on their place within wider social narratives.

One of the joys of teaching English is the opportunity to continually refresh the curriculum. This year, we have further developed our focus on persuasive writing and explored new approaches to help students make real-world connections. For example, our Year 9 students recently studied biography and interviewed a relative to communicate their stories through writing. In Year 10, students combined traditional poetry analysis with personal reflection to deepen their understanding of the power of poetry.

We are fortunate to have a skilled team of English teachers with experience not only across Australia but around the world. Members of our department have taught in India, England, Canada, Germany and Singapore, bringing with them rich experiences, innovative pedagogical approaches and valuable cultural insights. Our students benefit enormously from teachers who draw on such broad professional journeys.

This year, we congratulate Mr Cameron Brown and Ms Emily Ridge on achieving Proficient Teacher and Experienced Teacher accreditation respectively. We also congratulate Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards on being awarded a Fellowship of the Teachers’ Guild of NSW for her extraordinary impact and leadership in education. We now face the challenging task of farewelling her after many years of English teaching and leadership at Radford. A former Head of Department, she has left a lasting mark on English pedagogy at the College.

Planning for 2026 is already underway, and we are excited to trial a new approach to the explicit teaching of grammar, punctuation and spelling. We look forward to continuing our lunchtime seminars for Years 11 and 12. We have also selected new texts and are exploring ways to incorporate fresh perspectives on sustainability and diversity.

As my time as Acting Head of English comes to a close, I would like to thank our English teachers for being an inspiring team to work with over the past 18 months. I would also like to thank Mr Alex Trinder for his calm and steady leadership as Acting Assistant Head of English, and I look forward to welcoming back Mr Jason Golding as Head of Department in 2026.

With a career spanning mining, racing, aged care and now education, Radford’s Venue Manager brings a unique blend of resilience, operational expertise and people-centred leadership to the College. From being one of the first female mine electricians in northern Western Australia to overseeing care for hundreds of aged-care residents, she has built a reputation for stepping into complex environments and making them work smoothly. Two years after joining Radford, she continues to find joy in the diverse, fast-paced, community-focused nature of her role.

What brought you to Radford, and what were you doing before joining the College?

Before coming to Radford, I was the Care Operations Manager at a large aged-care facility, overseeing more than 150 clinical staff and responsible for the 24-hour care of 420 residents from the moment they moved in until end-of-life care. I loved the people we supported and often felt quite sad when they passed. Radford offered the chance to continue doing the parts of my job I loved, while still working in a caring and compassionate environment. 2 years on, I feel very happy with my decision.

You’ve had a varied career – from electrician to Chief Operating Officer of Canberra Racing Club and working in aged care. How have these experiences shaped your approach as Venue Manager?

I was only the second female mine electrician in the company I worked for in northern Western Australia when I was 17. It was a tough environment, where women were not welcome, but it taught me resilience and problem solving. Over time, I discovered I love business operations, strong business principles and building fit-for-purpose governance structures that support organisational success. These skills have allowed me to work across diverse industries and hold both CEO and COO roles in large organisations.

What does the role of Venue Manager at Radford College involve day-to-day?

I am responsible for generating revenue from Radford’s assets outside curricular and co-curricular hours. I plan and organise functions and events, and I’ve built governance frameworks – including contracts and MOUs – to ensure all events are conducted safely and in line with statutory requirements. Safety is always my highest priority.

Internally, I support departments with access to venues to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts. This year, the Sports Department and I developed and launched a new booking system for the Cricket Centre, which keeps me busy during peak times. I recently also took responsibility for the Canteen contract services and am working with our contractor to deliver a significantly improved service for staff and students in 2026. I’m very lucky – no two days are ever the same.

What has been the most memorable event you’ve helped facilitate – or one you’re looking forward to?

In December 2023, just 10 days after I started at Radford, the College closed for the Christmas shutdown. On the first day, we received a call from the UC Capitals asking if they could use the Collegians Centre that evening for their nationally televised game against Adelaide Lightning. The venue they were meant to play at had an electrical fault, and the team would have had to forfeit the game – and pay a $50,000 fine – if they couldn’t find a replacement.

Every department head came in at 1:30 pm to prepare the space for around 1,000 spectators within just a few hours. We had never held an event in the Collegians Centre before – we hadn’t even turned on the brand-new scoreboards. By 5:00 pm, members of the public began arriving, completely unaware of the frantic effort behind the scenes (I even lost my voice from talking so much). Not only did we pull it off, the UC Capitals also won! The College Executive, Sports, Communications and Facilities teams worked tirelessly to make it happen, and that was the moment I knew I was going to love working at Radford. Teamwork makes the dream work.

People would be surprised to know …

In 2001, I was part of the 4-person team that wired the explosives used to scuttle H.M.A.S. Perth off the coast of Albany, Western Australia. For 3 days, we climbed all over the ship (I was the smallest, so I had to crawl into some very tight spaces), wiring detonators and long runs of detonation cord under the guidance of pyrotechnics expert Gene Kelly, who worked on the Rocky and Die Hard movies. The Perth sank in just over 3 minutes, settling upright in the mud with its crow’s nest still a metre above the water. It is now a popular artificial dive reef.

On Friday evening, we had the great pleasure of celebrating the Class of 2025 as they marked an important milestone in their Radford College journey: Year 12 Graduation.

Surrounded by family, friends, mentors and staff, our graduates were recognised for their achievements, character and contributions to our College community. The ceremony featured musical performances by Year 12 students and a heartfelt address delivered by this year's Valedictorian, Astrid.

Graduates were welcomed to the stage by Principal Mr Christopher Bradbury, The Right Reverend Dr Mark Short, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary School Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Head of Year 12 Ms Ashlee Turner, College Board Members, Mentors and other executive staff.

'You look to your future with mixed emotions, knowing that ahead there will be many opportunities for you to touch the world, whether that be in the creative and performing arts, sport, science and technology, business and finance. As you begin your journey, you are strengthened by the memories of Radford College and each other, which will remain in your hearts and will ultimately live on forever' – Mr Christopher Bradbury.

Congratulations once again to the Class of 2025. We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing the many ways you will shape the world beyond Radford.

By Ms Karen Mahar, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Junior School

This week, we've had the joy and privilege of honouring our Year 6 students as they prepare to transition into the Secondary School. Their final days in the Junior School have been filled with celebration, reflection and an unmistakable sense of connection and belonging.

On Wednesday evening, our community gathered for the Year 6 Chapel and Celebration, an important milestone marking the conclusion of their Junior School journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

The evening invited us to pause and savour the experiences that have shaped these young people, including first-day-of-school photos, heartfelt gratitude letters to families and reflections on friendships nurtured and challenges overcome. Each student stood with pride and confidence, demonstrating what it means to embrace learning, care for others and be the best version of themselves.

As the cohort shared their reflections, it was clear that their time in the Junior School had been shaped by curiosity, compassion and courage. Their theme, This is Me: Shaped by the Past, Inspired by the Future, beautifully captured the spirit of the evening. It reminded us that while this moment signals an ending, it is equally a beginning. Students are moving into a new stage of learning, one filled with new opportunities, growth and possibilities.

Following the ceremony, students enjoyed a silent disco – a joyful, laughter-filled celebration that allowed them simply to be together. With glowing headphones, favourite songs and pure Year 6 energy, it was a moment of camaraderie they will remember for a long time.

The celebrations continued today with a carefully planned Fun Day at the Radford College Boatshed. With water playtime in the Aqua Park, stand-up paddle boards, games and time to simply enjoy one another’s company, the day was filled with fun, gratitude and deep appreciation for the friendships formed over the years.

Events like these require significant care and preparation, and we are grateful to all involved. A special thank you to our IT and Facilities teams, our talented musicians, the entire Year 6 teaching team, Ms Angie Walters, Reverend Dr Katherine Rainger, Ms Tracey Markovic and all Junior School staff who have supported these students throughout their journey.

We couldn’t be prouder of the young people our Year 6 students have become, and we cannot wait to see the incredible impact they will make as they continue to grow and thrive.

By Ms Ashlee Turner, Head of Year 12

The 2025 Radford Year 12 Formal took place at the National Arboretum last night. It was a wonderful celebration marking the conclusion of the Year 12 journey, filled with dancing, delicious meals and plenty of photos. Students embraced this final opportunity to come together as the Class of 2025 and reflect on their time at Radford.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, including Mrs Melissa Johnston, Mrs Amy Rowe, the Year 12 Mentors, Executive Staff and external providers, all of whom contributed to making it a truly special evening.

Congratulations and all the best, Year 12!

By Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School

A fabulous night was had by all at this year’s Year 10 end-of-year celebration at the Great Hall of Parliament House. After months of planning, parents, carers, staff and, of course, the Year 10 class of 2025 gathered for an evening of music, celebration and reflection.

During the formal part of the evening, we presented awards acknowledging the service, citizenship and character of our Year 10 students, including Alia, who received the Collegians Award. This award recognises a student who excels across academic achievement, co-curricular participation and citizenship.

Alexander received the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award, which celebrates leadership, teamwork, values, problem-solving, resourcefulness, communication, cooperation and community involvement.

Katherine received the Allen Family Memorial Award for service and was also the recipient of the ADF Future Innovators Award.

James earned the Australian Catholic University Award, presented to a student who has completed a breadth of service across the entire Year 10 service-learning program.

We also celebrated the recipients of a new award for Year 10 students – the Galambany Award. This oratory-based award encourages students to consider the values of peace, reconciliation and belonging. The inaugural winners were Methmal and Keating.

Our Year 10 music students performed Riptide by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy to great applause, and their second piece, The Less I Know the Better, quickly filled the dancefloor.

Our Year 10 hosts, Alexander and Thenuki, did a wonderful job conveying the purpose of the event: reflecting on their school journey so far and celebrating students’ achievements as they conclude Year 10 at Radford.

Here are extracts from their address:

“Our High School journey has prepared us well through countless new friendships and challenges. We’ve endured and held ourselves in good stead for the next 2 years and those all-important white shirts.” – Alex

“This year, I’ve discovered that the most fulfilling experience is to not know – to truly not understand – because that’s what drives curiosity and growth. So, my message to all of you is simple: appreciate what you don’t understand, embrace what you don’t know and don’t fear questions you can’t answer. In the words of Socrates, ‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.’” – Thenuki

By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Kindergarten Teacher

Telling the nativity story is a long-standing Radford tradition, reaching back to the early days of the Junior School. Our Kindergarten students have a wonderful opportunity to share the story of Christ coming into the world as a small baby through drama and song.

There was great excitement as the students put on their beautiful costumes and entered the chapel, smiling and waving to their loved ones.

The service opened with the song Tell Me the Story of Christmas and unfolded with great joy and enthusiasm.

Every child performed their part with heartfelt energy, whether they were a sheep, shepherd, angel, star, wise man or donkey. The joy of their performance was contagious and evident on the faces of everyone present.

The Kindergarten Nativity brought festive joy and a sense of togetherness – a perfect way to welcome the Christmas season.

By Mrs Maddie Grieger, Artistic Director of Co-Curricular Dance

We’re so proud of our students for their incredible performances at the annual Radford Dance Academy (RDA) Showcase. Over the past 2 weekends, their energy, creativity and teamwork lit up the stage and wowed the audience.

With 5 performances, more than 320 individual student participants, 81 separate dance routines, close to 700 costumes and more than 1400 audience members filling TB Millar Hall, this was truly a Showcase to remember!

The performances highlighted the technical skill and creativity students have honed throughout the year. Audience members offered rave reviews, and every dancer – from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 – showed remarkable courage and grace on stage.

None of this would have been possible without the commitment of RDA staff and the support of the wider Radford community. With enrolments for 2026 now open, we look forward to another year of creativity, growth and community at RDA.

Manchester City Football Club Schools Program

By Ms Megan Fritsch, Director of Sport

Radford College welcomed some very special visitors to our ovals last week – Tom Penny, Coaching Methodology Manager (Australia) for the Manchester City Football Club Schools Program, and Max Rothwell, Manchester City Football Club Melbourne Academy Coach. Both Tom and Max have extensive experience in elite youth football across the globe, and we were incredibly fortunate to have them deliver a full day of sessions for Radford students.

More than 80 footballers from Years 3 to 11 took part in a fast-paced, high-energy and truly memorable experience. Students were coached through a series of technical and tactical activities aligned with Manchester City’s global youth development methodology, focusing on ball mastery, situational decision-making, game intelligence and purposeful movement.

Across all age groups, students displayed outstanding focus, enthusiasm and coachability. For many, it was their first opportunity to train under international coaches, and the excitement was evident from the first whistle.

A highlight of the day was hearing students reflect on their experience. When a Year 4 participant was asked to rate the session, she beamed and replied:
“It was amazing – I loved it! I would give it a 100 out of 10!”

Tom and Max praised the Radford players for their work ethic, positivity and willingness to learn – qualities that underpin a strong football culture.

This visit marks an important step in Radford Sport’s commitment to strengthening football development across the College. Opportunities like these provide young players with fresh perspectives, inspiration and confidence, and we look forward to building further high-quality learning experiences for our community.

A huge thank you to Tom, Max and the Manchester City Football Club Schools Program, and congratulations to all students who represented Radford so proudly throughout the day.

We are already looking forward to welcoming more guest coaches as we continue to grow our football program in 2026.

School Sport Australia 12&U Track and Field Championships

In Week 7, three Radford students – Griff (Year 6), Elliot (Year 4) and Adeline (Year 7) – proudly represented the ACT at the 2025 School Sport Australia 12&U Track and Field Championships in Canberra. Competing against the nation’s best young athletes, all three delivered outstanding performances.

A special congratulations goes to Griff, who had a remarkable championship campaign, achieving three new national records in the following events for his multi-class T21 classification:

• U12 Boys 100m

• U12 Boys 200m

• U12 Boys Discus

Griff’s records from last year also remain unbeaten, reinforcing his continued dominance on the national stage. Adding to the excitement, Griff was selected as the SSACT Multiclass Team Captain, delivering speeches at both the opening and closing ceremonies – a wonderful honour and a testament to his leadership.

Holidays sports camps

The International Sports Camps (ISC) school holiday programs provide 3 days of skills-based coaching for players of all standards, from 5 to 15 years of age.

ISC is pleased to offer all Radford students who register with a 35% discount.

Click here for more information.

By Ms Tingting Zhang and Ms Winnie Sun, Chinese Language Teachers

In the final week of Term 4, our Year 8 Chinese students participated in an engaging Global Village Project that brought together language learning, cultural understanding and creative design. The aim of this project was for students to understand the concept of a 'global village', develop their research and presentation skills in Chinese, and reflect on cultural diversity and global citizenship.

Students researched a country of their choice and presented their findings in Chinese, using the vocabulary and sentence patterns they learned throughout the year. Working independently or collaboratively, they created Chinese PowerPoint presentations and demonstrated excellent teamwork and communication skills.

To extend their learning, they also designed and crafted clay models representing key cultural features of their selected countries. The final clay pieces were impressive – creative, detailed and reflective of strong cultural understanding. Both classes were highly engaged and proud of their achievements.

Throughout the project, students also reflected on their learning journey: how they approached challenges in research, planning, practising their Chinese, presenting to the class and creating their clay artworks. They shared what inspired their designs, what they learned about the cultural meaning embedded in Chinese characters and how language skills can open doors to future opportunities in our increasingly interconnected world.

By Ms Rowena Stevens, Spanish Language Teacher

To broaden their knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries, our Year 10 Spanish students participated in an excursion to the National Zoo and Aquarium earlier this term.

Students worked in small groups to research and prepare presentations on animals native to Spanish-speaking countries. The class was treated to insightful Spanish-language talks on fascinating creatures including the black-capped capuchin, the pygmy marmoset and the fallow deer.

The following week, our Year 9 and 10 Spanish students were delighted to experience authentic Spanish paella. Prepared by our dedicated Canteen staff using a traditional paellera (paella pan), the dish was a true culinary highlight. In class, students learnt how paella is made, explored its traditional ingredients and discussed the cultural significance of this iconic dish.

Meanwhile, Year 7 students discovered the vibrant tradition of piñatas. After researching their origins and construction techniques, they designed and created their own piñatas using primarily recycled materials. Their final creations reflected the depth of their research.

'Our piñata was enjoyable to create and represents the 7 deadly sins. The 7 spikes each resemble a deadly sin, and the breaking of the piñata symbolises the expulsion and banishment of these sins' – Amy.

'Our piñata is a donkey. The donkey represents the donkey that Mary rode into Bethlehem' – Scarlett.

By Ms Lisa Bourne, Japanese Language Teacher

Year 9 Japanese classes wrapped up the semester with a visit to the local Japanese restaurant, Ikko. Students had the opportunity to put their language skills into practice in a real-life setting – an experience that will serve them well when they travel to Japan in 2026.

From the moment they arrived, students were greeted in Japanese by the staff before being seated and given menus. They then ordered and paid for their meals entirely in Japanese, demonstrating great confidence and enthusiasm.

A favourite moment for many was trying ramune, a popular Japanese lemonade, and the fun challenge of opening its unique marble-sealed bottle.

Combined with delicious food and authentic interaction, the excursion was a memorable and rewarding cultural experience for all.

By Mr Mitchell Joyce-Griggs, Science Teacher

Earlier this term, Dr Tyson Peppler and I, along with several students, parents and caregivers, attended the annual SEAACT Science and Engineering Fair Awards ceremony hosted by the University of Canberra (UC).

We were treated to a tour of UC’s world-class science facilities, including their so-called ‘mega lab’ – a large teaching laboratory – and their environmental sciences lab, featuring fascinating fish, frogs and geological samples. We also attended a presentation about the various degree pathways and activities offered by the Faculty of Science and Technology, giving students the opportunity to experience first-hand what tertiary study in science entails.

The presentation was hosted by Mrs Paula Taylor, President-Elect of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) and ACT winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools, and Mr Lachlan McGinness, President of SEAACT.

We also heard a keynote speech from ACT's Emerging Scientist of the Year, Dr Samantha McGaughey, who spoke about the nature of science as ‘curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork’ and shared her ongoing work in plant science and biomimicry to develop solutions to real-world problems.

Radford Year 10 students and Infinity Science Club members Nicholas, Charli and Jeexin were awarded a Highly Commended certificate for their project Neutralisation of Lithium Batteries in the Human Oesophagus Following Battery Ingestion. The project took several weeks to complete and was carried out with the support of our Senior Science Laboratory Technician, Mr Graeme Poleweski.

We were also thrilled to see Year 3 student Rhys win first place for his entry Reflectivity of Road Surface Coverings. Warm congratulations to all our student entrants and award recipients for their remarkable achievements and ingenuity.

We look forward to your continuing success in the field of science.

By Mrs Emily Leong, Acting Head of Performing Arts

Our Year 8 dance, drama and music classes had the opportunity to perform two concerts for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students, featuring well-known fairy tales, beloved children’s stories and songs.

Some of the fairy tales included favourites such as Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood. Students made clever use of props, space, gestures and dialogue to bring their stories to life.

The dancers were inspired by Alice in Wonderland and creatively interpreted the story through movement, including the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and, of course, Alice.

Music students enjoyed performing their favourite children’s songs, ranging from traditional nursery rhymes and TV theme songs to popular artists such as The Wiggles.

Our young audience members were thoroughly entertained, often joining in by singing and clapping along. It was a wonderful celebration of storytelling through music, dance and drama.

We extend our thanks to the Junior School teachers for their assistance in organising this event, and to the Performing Arts team for their dedicated work with the students.

By Mrs Monique Glavonjic, Community Engagement Manager

In 2025, students, families, Collegians, staff and supporters came together in countless ways that showcased what it means to be part of the Radford community. Whether gathering for major events, cheering on students, volunteering time or supporting initiatives across the College, our community continued to demonstrate generosity and genuine care for one another and for the College.

This year, the Parents & Friends Association (P&F) Committee helped strengthen the fabric of College life by hosting vibrant and welcoming events that brought families together from the first day of Term 1, through to the end of the year. These included shared experiences at concerts, carnivals, assemblies, the Fete, around the coffee cart and many more.

The P&F is also pleased to share that the $40 per child levy will be waived for 2026. With healthy reserves and successful fundraising efforts, the P&F is confident it can continue delivering meaningful programs and initiatives without relying on next year’s levy.

The P&F also recognises that many families in our community are navigating financial uncertainty. By waiving this levy, the P&F hopes to provide a genuine gesture of support and relief.

The Radford Collegians played an important role in 2025, strengthening ties between past and present students through various events including the International Women's Day event, Collegians Career and Networking Expo, Collegians vs Year 12 soccer matches and Collegians Buddy Program.

Their presence throughout the year was greatly appreciated by our students, especially at Graduation, where Collegian Ashleigh Foster (Class of 2005) welcomed new graduates into the Collegians network.

Thank you to the Collegians' principal sponsor, Tailored Accounts, led by Chief Executive Officer and Radford College parent, Mr Harry Hoang OAM, for your support and generosity in supporting key initiatives throughout the year that enhanced our student and community connections.

This year also marked a proud milestone for the Radford Foundation, which celebrated the graduation of two exceptional scholarship recipients, Ella and Savidu, whose journeys reflect the transformative impact of community generosity. Their successes are a testament to the opportunities created through the support of our donors, and we invite you to watch their stories here:

• Hear Ella's story
• Hear Savidu's story

As we come to the end of the year, we extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to the life of Radford College in 2025.

By Reverend Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Come and experience the wonder and beauty of Advent and Christmas at the Radford Carols service.

Be inspired by student and staff choirs performing carols from different times and places. Together, we will hear the Christmas story and sing some favourite Christmas carols.

5:00 pm
Sunday, 7 December
Radford Chapel

All welcome!